BOUN KHOUN KHAO

The festival in Deuan Nyee (the 2nd month of Lao calendar) January is Boun Khoun Khao, the Heaps of Rice Festival. It is the festival that has been continually done since the past. This festival is held after the farmers finished harvesting. Khoun means getting more, So Boun Khoun Khao is held for getting more rice in the next year.

The reason for Boun Khoun Khao is held for feeding the gods who protect the rice-field. God feeding ceremony at least we should have chicken, cigarette, alcohol, black rice, red rice, food and sweet, making bamboo star, Ta lew eagle eye for four corners of the rice-field, making banana tree basket with 9 blocks for containing foods for the gods and worship them by flowers, candles and incenses. Some farmers hold Boun Khoun Khao at their homes by inviting monks to chant a stanza of victory and have a meal at their homes for getting more rice in the next year.